Augusta Ballet will celebrate 40 years with repertoire performance
Ballet companies are, by nature, pack rats. While theater and opera companies mount productions, strike sets and then move on to the next thing, the ballet world is careful to preserve its productions. Post-performance, pieces are figuratively boxed, bundled and placed on a shelf for future use.

Royals, Blue Jays play in Toronto despite SARS
TORONTO -- Despite the SARS outbreak that has killed 19 people, the Toronto Blue Jays started their first homestand since a World Health Organization warning against travel to the city.

Yost starting right in Milwaukee
ATLANTA - If Ned Yost takes a page from Bobby Cox's book of managing, then he'll create a positive environment in which players can thrive, make certain they know he cares about them, and keeps his door open.

Brewers issue Braves beating
ATLANTA - For a dozen years, they shared the same dugout: one a cagey manager with four decades in the game to his credit; the other a former catcher whose passion for the game was rivaled only by his tireless work ethic.

Dow drops more than 130, investors collect profits
NEW YORK -- Investors cashed in for profits for a second day Friday, pushing stocks sharply lower on worries that stocks have risen too far, too quickly. The Dow Jones industrials dropped more than 130 points.

Analysts say recession can be avoided
WASHINGTON -- The economy overcame war worries and bad weather to eke out a small gain in the first three months of the year, easing fears that the nation was headed into another recession.

Homeownership is up for blacks
WASHINGTON - Homeownership rates for blacks have surged over the past 12 years, aided by rising incomes in a booming housing market, according to Census Bureau data released Friday.

Durable goods orders jump 2 percent in March
WASHINGTON -- Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods, powered by a continued surge in demand for military equipment, rose an unexpectedly sharp 2 percent in March. But a second government report Thursday showed that the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level in a year.

Clemson tight end back on team
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson tight end Ben Hall is back on the team after the senior-to-be left the Tigers to consider transferring to another school, athletics spokesman Tim Bourret says.

Virtual pollution
The Internet has been the best technological innovation since the invention of the telephone, radically changing the way people communicate and do business with one another. But it's in danger of being destroyed - sunk by spammers' unwanted, unsolicited e-mails.

No to special session
After more than a century of one-party Democratic rule, it's pretty clear that Georgia's elected leaders are having a problem adjusting to divided government. As the longest and most hectic legislative session since the late 1800s draws to a close later today, very little has gotten done.

Filling the void
Is it ingratitude? Or something more? It would be easy to conclude that the anti-U.S. demonstrations in Iraq are the result of world-class ingrates. It is tempting to be embittered while watching anti-Americanism among a population that was just liberated with the blood and sweat of U.S.-led coalition forces.

Open up, or close down
Many Canadians are livid about a World Health Organization warning to avoid travel to Toronto - angry that it's an overreaction to the possible 267 cases of SARS in Ontario, and will only cripple an already reeling tourist economy there.

Change before visit
"(T)he American secretary of State going to Damascus to meet with a terrorist-supporting, secret police-wielding dictator is ludicrous ... This is a time for America to demand changes in Damascus before a visit is even considered. The visit should be a reward for public change, not an appeal to a weak, economically depressed dictatorship."

Concert calendar
A listing of upcoming concerts in the Augusta and surrounding areas.

Club calendar
Ready for a night on the town? Here's a sampling of specials and entertainment at area nightclubs.

Standing ovations
Riverwalk Augusta's Saturday Night Live concert series continues with music by local bands Black Eyed Susan and Redheaded Stepchild. The free concert begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Eight Street plaza at Riverwalk.

Church organists perform at ASU
Organists from six local churches will perform to support the Augusta State University Firefighters Scholarship Fund at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. All proceeds benefit the scholarship, which is available to Richmond County and Columbia County firefighters and their children.

Top 20 Concert Tours
The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

Entertainment briefs
BERLIN -- Berlin's three opera houses still face an uncertain future as the debt-laden city government tries to balance the city's status as a cultural center while pruning costs, managers at the venerable Staatsoper said.

Fishing tournament news
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish caught and total weight of the catch.

Gardener masters landscape art
Master gardener Carolyn Ziegler had a lot to work with when she started improving the landscape at her Columbia County home.

Shade can yield color
You would think, with winter not long gone, that green would be enough color to satisfy any gardener. Not so. Everybody already is hungry for reds and yellows and blues. And gardeners with shade are no exception.

Georgia Tech, Clemson game suspended by rain
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The threat of lightning forced the suspension of Georgia Tech's series-opening game against Clemson Friday, with the Yellow Jackets and Tigers tied at 6 after 8 innings.

Augusta's Spann silences skeptics
Coming out of Southland Academy in Buena Vista, Ga., the scouting report on Chad Spann said he wouldn't be ready for the South Atlantic League as a hitter in 2003 because he played at a small, independent school.

Jackets fall after Mateo leaves mound
Aneudis Mateo was facing what figured to be his last batter of the game when he was paid a visit on the mound from Augusta GreenJackets pitching coach Dave Tomlin.

Relief effort isn't enough
The Augusta GreenJackets didn't return to the win column, but their bullpen made a return to respectability.

Rain washes out Legends first round
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The first big-time golf tournament in Savannah was put off Friday when thunderstorms washed out most of the first round in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, a Champions Tour event.

Senators top Flyers
OTTAWA -- Marian Hossa had a goal and two assists, and the Ottawa Senators overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring three times in the second period of a 4-2 victory Friday night over the Philadelphia Flyers in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Arrest in traffic incident
A University of Georgia student was arrested Thursday on charges related to a April 17 traffic accident that left a fraternity brother in critical condition with head injuries.

Work together to resolve school problem
I am an A.R. Johnson High School parent who attended the Richmond County Board of Education meeting April 17. My thanks go to the board for taking the time to consider our concerns over the recent problems that have arisen at our school.
Glennis Hager, Augusta

Nothing to miss of Clinton presidency
In response to the April 22 letter by Anne Cook, "Some reasons why nation misses Bill Clinton's presidency": People are free in this country to spend money as they choose, even flush it away if they desire. How truly proud any founding member of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library must be!
Thomas Wagner, Evans, Ga.

Tobacco fees increase should be higher
House Speaker Terry Coleman, D-Eastman, deserves a round of applause for exercising leadership and passing increases in tobacco user fees out of the House as a solution to the budget crisis.
W. Mark McCollough, M.D., Albany, Ga.

Norwood supports medically underserved
I support U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga., for his outstanding leadership as a co-sponsor of the Patient Navigator, Outreach and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2003. This legislation will help people who face financial, cultural and language barriers in obtaining health care to get the treatment they need when they are diagnosed with a serious, potentially fatal illness like cancer.
Harold L. "Andy" Anderson, Martinez, Ga.

Help out at Spring River Cleanup
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary supports the Savannah Riverkeeper in all matters of area waterway improvement and protection. The Savannah Riverkeeper's mission is to protect the water quality of the Savannah River and the integrity of its watershed, and to promote an enlightened stewardship of this unique heritage.
Mike Stacy, Augusta

Here's how you can 'support our troops' with your money
Tonight I noticed a red, white and blue ribbon on a TV advertiser's ad, with the caption, "We support our troops." That's great. I was wondering, how are they supporting them? Do they know any families of any troops? Have they offered to help any troops, or their families who are left behind? Maybe offered to help pick up some of the bills that they can't quite cover?
William N. Jackson, Evans, Ga.

Teacher inspired by 'phenomenal mentor'
I must compliment The Chronicle on its April 21 article, "Woman maintains desire to teach after 29 years," featuring North Augusta High School teacher Martha Butts. The Chronicle could not have been more accurate in calling Mrs. Butts' laugh "infectious" and her voice "soothing."
Stacey L. Hughes, Grovetown, Ga.

Applauds educational Confederate column
I want to commend David Foster for his April 9 column, "Glory of Confederacy a myth." I also admire him for his courage to write the truth about the Confederacy as a Southern white gentleman. His column is well written and researched. Again, my congratulations to Mr. Foster!
Tracy E. Williams Jr., Augusta

Gandy is a dedicated educator
My daughter attends A.R. Johnson Magnet School. It has been a very enjoyable and rewarding year for her. I would like to thank her teachers and the administration for providing her with an innovative and challenging curriculum. She admires and respects all of her teachers.
Emily D. Baker, Augusta

Augusta's Spann silences skeptics
Coming out of Southland Academy in Buena Vista, Ga., the scouting report on Chad Spann said he wouldn't be ready for the South Atlantic League as a hitter in 2003 because he played at a small, independent school.

Judge ends work of special grand jury
A special grand jury investigation that began three years and five months ago and produced 10 presentments on the state of Augusta government quietly ended Friday afternoon after grand jurors were discharged from service by Superior Court Judge Albert M. Pickett.

Loading zones move into roads
ATHENS, Ga. - Hefting heavy boxes or cases of beer from a truck parked in the center of East Clayton Street on a traffic-heavy afternoon in downtown Athens can be a dangerous business.

Rants and Raves
THIS IS IN response to the rant about MCG withholding patient information. Do not disparage MCG for following the law regarding patient confidentiality. If you do not like the new rules and how they have to be implemented, then let your thoughts be known to your members of Congress who created this monstrous and far overreaching piece of legislation. Do not kill the messenger.

Critics say center should fall under sherff
AIKEN - When sheriff's office investigators brought Raymond Stevens Jr. back to South Carolina on Friday to face murder charges in connection with the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, they put him into the super max security section of the new $15 million Aiken County Detention Center.

Budget brings cuts, new taxes
ATLANTA - The General Assembly passed a budget late Friday with deep spending cuts and Georgia's first major tax increase in a decade, both aimed at a recession-driven shortfall.

News you can use
BACK IN TIME
APRIL 26, 1993
LINCOLNTON, Ga. - Former University of Georgia star running back Garrison Hearst returned home to Lincoln County to find himself the third overall pick in yesterday's NFL draft.

Candidate for sheriff builds up roster list
AIKEN - Although Republican Mike Hunt still faces a May 13 general election battle against fellow Aiken Department of Public Safety Lt. Donald Butler to become the county's next sheriff, he is already assembling a cadre of top-level subordinates.

Girl's vanishing raises suspicion
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Just before she vanished a week ago, Ashleigh Moore tried to wake her younger sister around dawn, but her mother's live-in boyfriend pulled her away.

First Steps' budget cut
AIKEN - More than 50 Aiken County women will not get prenatal assistance next year from First Steps, a program officials say greatly reduces the number of infant deaths, because of state budget cuts, child care specialists said Thursday.

Serviceman of the day
Today's serviceman of the day is Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher P. Wright of Aiken.

Office honors slain sheriff
AIKEN - Marian Bray, 81, sometimes has problems remembering things, but she'll never forget the Model-T her father drove around Aiken back when alcohol was illegal and he was the law of the land.

Judge OKs child-porn trial
A magistrate judge ruled Thursday that there is enough evidence to proceed with the prosecution of the case against an Augusta man charged with 74 counts of child pornography.

Police bring murder suspect back to Aiken
AIKEN - Raymond Stevens Jr., accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend April 18, waived his rights to an extradition hearing and was driven from North Carolina to the Aiken County Detention Center late Friday by sheriff's investigators.

Legislature approves new flag
ATLANTA - Georgians will get a new state flag, but not a chance to revive the 1956 banner and its Confederate cross, if Gov. Sonny Perdue signs off on a plan approved by the General Assembly late Friday.

Correction
A report in Thursday's editions of The Augusta Chronicle about a man who was attacked at a Gordon Highway auto dealership misidentified the parties involved. Ricarla Cartledge, who was charged with battery, is a woman. The man who reported the attack, William Reese, is the owner of Catfish Used Cars Inc.

Hospital merger will cut top jobs
The consolidation of management at two state institutions in Augusta will mean seven officials will be looking for new positions, one official said.

Courthouse move sparks debate
JEFFERSON, Ga. - If history holds true, Jackson County commissioners will receive very different messages at next week's public meetings to unveil and explain plans for a new courthouse on the outskirts of Jefferson.

Agency plans MOX use for impure plutonium
AIKEN - The National Nuclear Security Administration on Thursday made official in a document, called a record of decision, that it will use 6.5 metric tons of impure weapons-grade plutonium in its mixed-oxide fuel program.

State hunts share of drug forfeitures
ATLANTA - Little of the money state police officers seize from drug traffickers winds up helping them fight crime as a 1974 law intended, according to a government report that has lawmakers wondering whether changes are needed.

Vote could save pharmacy
A move by the Georgia Legislature to avoid Medicaid cuts to hospitals might forestall the closing of an outpatient pharmacy in Augusta that serves patients from throughout the state.

Across the area
The traffic congestion that plagued last year's Powerfest Festival is not expected to be a problem at this year's event, scheduled for Saturday, said Augusta Recreation and Parks Director Tom Beck.

Proposal upsets teachers, parents
Nearly a hundred parents and teachers voiced their concerns Thursday evening at plans to close Bungalow Road Elementary School and move their students to other schools during the next school year.

Milltown Motorcade celebrates life in 1920s
The town of Lakeland, Ga., has about 23 murals depicting early life in the city. The latest show people who were around in 1925, the last year the community was known as Milltown.

Chambliss warns of base closures
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss said Fort Gordon's missions in communications and military intelligence are unique but do not guarantee the post will stay open after 2005.

Job ranks get focus of airport officials
A proposal to make Augusta Regional Airport's law enforcement officers employees of the city has been set aside while airport officials deal with what they say is a more pressing personnel issue.

Police arrest 3 Hephzibah pupils
Three Hephzibah High School students have been arrested after police say they skipped classes Wednesday, allowing one of the students to have sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Perdue weighs long session
GREENSBORO, Ga. - A day before the final day of Georgia's 2003 legislative session, Gov. Sonny Perdue said he doesn't know whether a special session will be needed to finish the state's business.

Across South Carolina
COLUMBIA -The head of a group that wants to reform medical malpractice lawsuits has apologized to state Rep. Shirley Hinson for mailing out postcards that she said distorted her view on tort reform.

House OKs day care insurance bill
In the middle of a battle over the budget and the state flag late Friday, the Georgia General Assembly granted Jackie Boatwright her wish.

Pupils meet to give support
Eating a chocolate "We Support Our Troops" cake, five families got together at Evans Middle School on Thursday night to swap their own war stories - tales of what it's like to have a husband, a father or a mother gone to fight the battle in Iraq.

Police charge student in accident
ATHENS, Ga. - A University of Georgia student has been arrested on charges related to an April 17 traffic accident that left a Martinez fraternity brother in critical condition in an Augusta hospital.

Mini reviews
Movies are listed with theater location through Thursday. Reviews without star ratings are from critics other than Roger Ebert. Listings are subject to change. Call theaters for times. For an online movie guide, check out augusta.com/movies.

Video watch
JUST OUT: Darkness Falls, Real Women Have Curves, Standing in the Shadows of Motown and Bloody Sunday

At the Movies: 'Confidence'
Think of "Confidence" as a poor man's "Ocean's Eleven" - a heist movie that doesn't have quite the elite cast, elaborate details and effervescence of Steven Soderbergh's film, but is genuinely entertaining nonetheless.

Vasser to drive second Rahal entry in Indy 500
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jimmy Vasser will drive a second Team Rahal entry in the Indianapolis 500, although he will have to miss the first weekend of qualifying because of a race in the rival CART series.

Wallace still hungry for wins
Coming back to California Speedway for Sunday's Auto Club 500 is a good-news, bad-news situation for Rusty Wallace.

IAAF official calls for probe of Lewis
FRANKFURT, Germany -- A top official of track and field's world governing body is urging the International Olympic Committee to investigate the alleged doping case of nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

Italian takes Stage Two
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Italian Moreno DiBiase of Formaggi-Pinzolo won the 124-mile Stage Two of Dodge Tour de Georgia on Thursday, which stretched from Macon, to Columbus in a field sprint with a time of 4:07:45.

Agassi moves within one victory of No.1 world rank
HOUSTON -- Andre Agassi breezed past his third straight opponent at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships on Friday, and moved within one victory of becoming the oldest men's player to be ranked No. 1 in the world.

Team unveils four combinations of new uniforms
BUFORD, Ga. -- Barbara Sanders considered herself uniquely qualified to comment on the new Atlanta Falcons uniforms Michael Vick and Keith Brooking modeled Thursday at the Mall of Georgia.

Plenty of options available in draft
Fantasy Football Writer Raymond Beasock gives an opinion on how the first round might shake out today. No draft-day trades have been predicted, although there is likely to be more movement besides the Bears and Jets trade on Friday.

Faith digest
Russell and Dorothy Spaulding, co-owners of North Augusta's religious programming television station WBPI-TV (Channel 49) are collecting signatures for a letter praising President Bush for his stance in Iraq. Their goal is 1,000 names. For more information, call (803) 278-3618.

Final resting place
No stretch limos. No mourners. Instead, the reburial of the Revs. James Harris and Edward "Ned" West was heralded by the distant crowing of a rooster.

Faith and Fellowship calendar
The Faith and Fellowship Calendar is a roundup of church- and temple-based activities in the Augusta and Aiken area. Space is limited. Deadline is noon Monday. E-mail items to vanorton@augustachronicle.com; send a fax to 722-7403; or mail to Faith and Fellowship, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928.

National Day of Prayer rings with supplications
Augusta-area believers will recommit themselves to serving God on the annual National Day of Prayer Thursday as they seek divine guidance for government officials and the military, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of us have been doubting Thomases
I often think of the people who come to church Sunday for the morning worship service and how their lives are affected by God's word. While the word of God is fresh in their hearts they feel close to the Lord Jesus Christ, but as the week wears on and testing and temptations are experienced, their hearts become weary and emptied of the power of God's word. Some refer to it as being "hot and cold," or it also can be viewed as "belief and unbelief."

Bishop denies spat with Daschle
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Carlson said he "would never break off dialogue or a pastoral relationship with anyone," after an article implied a breach had developed between the prelate and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle over abortion.

Ministry mounts miraculous comeback
Dana Nelms had a roomful of hungry children she needed to feed Wednesday when she found yet another item that thieves had taken from Miracle Making Ministries.

Festival features bluegrass greats
Ralph Stanley will perform at the 16th annual Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival, which opens Thursday at Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton, Ga.

Debris recovery from Columbia better than expected
WASHINGTON -- More than 70,000 pieces of space shuttle Columbia have been recovered from Texas and Louisiana by thousands of workers who searched more than a half-million acres almost "foot by foot," NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe said Friday.

Edwards will play NFL Draft waiting game
Mike Detillier understands that there are doubts surrounding Terrence Edwards' chances of succeeding in the National Football League. Detillier, a veteran NFL Draft analyst, has his own suspicions.

Propaganda films can outlive their message
For many film fans, a relationship with the movies can be traced back to early childhood, to a warm spring afternoon when, seated cross-legged on a classroom floor, their fragile psyches were subjected to a barrage of propaganda. Oh sure, the subject matter was banal - hygiene, the importance of looking both ways, the four food groups - but the techniques were every bit as manipulative as any wartime know-your-enemy feature.